Leeds based four-piece Super Luxury inhabit a similar musical sphere to stateside distorted noise makers such as Metz and their ilk, running on a healthy dose of party and condensing it into a punk inspired scuzzy whirlwind. Yet there’s a quirkier edge on ‘Ten Solid Years Of Applause’, not least lyrically, which embodies the party atmosphere they promote so heavily.
There are moments to chant along to, although mimicking Super Luxury’s vocals may prove particularly tough on the vocal chords. There are abundant moments to unashamedly let loose. The surreally titled ‘Ian Mackaye Made So Much Money Out Of Fugazi…’ (and that’s just the start of it) seemingly defies listeners not to fling their frenzied bodies into a euphoric pit.
Where ‘Ten Sold Years Of Applause’ really surprises is the shifts to heavy sludge, hinted at in opener ’25 Meters’ and cemented in ‘Golden Climbing’. If the record is about debauchery, it deliberately wavers between exuberance and a claustrophobic trip. Whichever state is embodied at the time, it does it with gusto. Holding back is not an option for Super Luxury. In fact, they might struggle to understand the term completely.
In its lightest moments, ‘Ten Years Of Solid Applause’ plays out like a punks surf holiday. ‘Constant Delicious’ – an early highlight – is underpinned by a beach vibe, juxtaposed against the brilliantly raucous vocals. In its darker moments, the album drags the listener through the proverbial mud, such as on the deliciously methodical ‘Milk Sauce’.
Whether they are inviting you to dance or punching you in the face, Super Luxury do it with brash force. Whichever direction ‘Ten Solid Years Of Applause’ is going, its taking the listener with it – and for that is entirely unapologetic. Their unashamed noise is undoubtedly made for a live setting, but on record ‘Ten Years Of Solid Applause’ all but physically takes you there.
BEN TIPPLE